Sandra Drury is a member of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is her story.

When Sandra Drury traveled to Tanzania with World Vision in 2015, her heart was ignited by something she learned there for the first time. Sandra discovered the biblically based Empowered Worldview (EWV) approach to the alleviation of poverty, and a passion inside her was unleashed.

Cyndi and Mark Bluhm are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Mark Bluhm gave his wife, Cyndi, one of the best gifts she’s ever received. And you might not guess what it was.

Knowing that since childhood his bride has had a heart for those in need, Mark Bluhm gave his wife the “gift” of sponsoring a child in Swaziland, named Ntsetselelo, through World Vision. A few years later, a friend challenged Cyndi to run a half-marathon with Team World Vision to bring clean water to Ntsetselelo’s community. And although she doesn’t consider herself a runner, Cyndi rose to the challenge! When Mark “nudged” many of his executive friends to support the run, the couple raised over $6,000 for water in Mhlosheni, Swaziland.

Glenn and Carole Daves are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Although Glenn and Carole Daves didn’t set out with a mission to care for the poor, they each made a decision that would eventually lead them there: they committed themselves to following Jesus. Glenn came to know Christ in high school, and Carole became a follower of Jesus in college. Together they committed themselves to pursue what Jesus wants to do in this world. Shortly after they were married, twenty-nine years ago, the couple understood enough of Jesus’ concern for the poor that they began sponsoring a child through World Vision.

Joe and Amy Wu are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Like many immigrants from Taiwan in the 1970s and 1980s, the families of Joe and Amy Wu left behind social networks and established careers to migrate to the United States for their children to access greater educational opportunities. Joe and Amy were both raised in Southern California, in a suburb near Pasadena—Joe since age ten, and Amy since age eight. They eventually met at church while playing music together on the worship team, Joe leading on voice and guitar and Amy on piano. Thirty-plus years later, they still serve together on the worship team at their local church!

Carl and Carol are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

In the first forty years of their marriage—that’s now lasted over half-a-century—Carl and Carol Wall channeled their charitable Christian giving through their church, the Christian college they’d both attended, and one of their church denomination’s seminaries. All worthy choices! But when Carol began serving on the local YWCA board, near their home in in Fargo, North Dakota, the couple was moved in a new direction as the needs of women and children needing shelter from domestic abuse began to tug at Carol’s heart.

Ed and Sherri are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Between them, Ed and Sherri Torres have experience serving on dozens of boards, both businesses and nonprofits. So, the couple understands, intimately, the operational side of organizations like World Vision.

But about two years ago, the Torres family purposed to deepen their impact even further. As part of that process, they sought wisdom from the Holy Spirit for the answer to one question, “What is it that You are asking us to do with the limited amount of money that we have to put to work for Your kingdom?”

Linda and Barry are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

When their sons were seventeen and nineteen years-old, Linda and Barry Rowan organized a family meeting. Purposing to walk more intentionally with the poor, as a family, the Rowans identified the criteria that were most important to them.

Anne meeting her sponsored child in Armenia

Anne Robblee is a member of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is her story.

Before Anne Robblee was ever involved with World Vision, her husband was a member of a microfinance committee. Then, in 2006, Anne decided to join him on a Vision Trip to Nicaragua. Encountering people facing abject poverty opened Anne’s eyes, as did witnessing the impact of World Vision’s work that was transforming communities and individuals. Awed by the sacrificial love, care, and dedication of the World Vision staff members who ministered to them, Anne marveled, “It works!” Both Anne and her husband Dave wanted to further immerse themselves in the work of World Vision. She explains, “We were both hooked.”

David Grizzle is a member of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is his story.

When he was growing up, David Grizzle hated being poor. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, David launched his career with Continental Airlines, eventually serving as senior vice president of customer experience. He also served the U.S. Department of State in Kabul, Afghanistan, and eventually landed his career in the role of chief operating officer of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Organization. David admits that as he achieved financial security, like many who make their way out of poverty, his first thought wasn’t about how to help others climb out of the same hole he had.

Sherree and Jim are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Jim Funk describes his family’s commitment to World Vision’s mission to the poor as a “journey, not a race.”  Though the family’s journey that began decades ago has seen various seasons, the Funk family shows no signs of becoming weary.